Hawks take lead in NWL Championship series

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The Boise Hawks shut out the Vancouver Canadians 5-0 Friday in game one of the Northwest League Championship series.

Boise got on the board first in the third as Carlos Penalver scored thanks to Lance Rymel avoiding a tag at second and preventing a double-play on a Danny Lockhart grounder.

The Hawks would score four more, but Penalver's run was all Boise would need, as starting pitcher Dillon Maples and two relievers combined on a six-hit shutout.

The best-of-three series shifts to Vancouver for game two Sunday at 2 p.m. MST and, if necessary, Monday. Boise will be without five players in Canada - including shortstop Carlos Penalver and team RBI leader Yasiel Balaguert. All have to stay behind due to passport issues.

Pitchers Carlos Martinez and Juan Paniagua and outfielder Jeffrey Baez round out the group of players staying behind, according to the Hawks.